What are they? The Crusades were a series of battles between the Christian Church and ‘un-believers’ or ‘infidels’. In 1095, Pope Urban II appealed to the lords and knights of Europe to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. –He wanted Jerusalem in Christian hands Urban II addressing the crowd

Why did people go? Pope Urban II promised remission of sins to all who died. Many were motivated by religious fervor Some sought adventure and could take part in their favourite pass-time….. –Fighting Others went to gain riches and territory action=cliphttp:// action=clip

The Peasant’s Crusade (The People’s Crusade) Before the first planned Crusade took off, Peter the Hermit (a monk) organized large numbers of peasants and low-ranking knights set off for Jerusalem. Along the way they had a number of problems such as food shortages and lack of discipline. About one-quarter of these troops died before reaching Constantinople. Once in the Holy Land, they split up, and many were massacred. Peter survived and joined the other Crusaders upon their arrival.

The First Crusade Followed on the heels of Pope Urban II speech at Claremont, France. This was more carefully planned than the Peasants Crusade. Armies met at Constantinople and began march to Jerusalem. In 1099 (two years after leaving home), the Crusaders stood outside the walls of Jerusalem. Siege of Antioch

More on the First Crusade It took the crusaders 5 weeks to take the city. –In the process, many men, women and children were massacred. This is the only crusade that was successful!

Legacy of Crusade #1 A Christian state was established amid a “sea of Muslims.” –The Crusader states of Edessa, Tripoli, Jerusalem and Antioch. The states became dependent on supplies from Italian commercial cities –E.g Venice The Crusader states were not easily maintained, and in 1144, Edessa fell to the Seljuk Turks

The Second Crusade This crusade was called in 1147 after the fall of Edessa. It was a total disaster, as the Crusaders failed to achieve any major victories.

The Third Crusade In 1187, Saladin, leader of the Seljuk Turks, recaptured Jerusalem. Some of the most important rulers in Europe called for a crusade. –Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart) –Phillip II of France –Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa

Crusade #3 The three men started on their journey to Jerusalem, but…. –Barbarossa drowned along the way, and only the French and English kings remained. –The rivalry between the two nations was great- even back then. Phillip II headed back to France, leaving Richard the Lionheart to go in alone. Saladin had a capable army, and Richard and his troops were unable to re-take Jerusalem. –However, Richard was able to negotiate a truce with Saladin. –Christian pilgrims would be given safe passage to Jerusalem.

The Fourth Crusade Pope Innocent III called for another Crusade in 1202, a decade after the death of Saladin. However, the Crusade was funded by a Venetian leader, with the instruction to take Constantinople instead. WHY? –Constantinople was the greatest trade competitor of Venice. In 1204, the Crusading army attacked Constantinople and looted the churches and massacred the defenders. This tarnished the idea of the Crusades. However,…

Other Crusades There would be a series of further Crusades; none of which achieved success. The most notable is the Children’s Crusade of Led by the leaders of the French and German armies, 10,000 children marched toward the Holy Land. However, none reached Jerusalem –Sold into slavery –Returned home –Died of hunger and disease.

Legacy Stabilized European society by removing large numbers of young warriors. The Italian seaports benefited economically Lead to attacks on Jews. –Becomes a regular feature of life.